Verovering van de Zilvervloot in de Baai van Matanzas door admiraal Piet Heyn, 1628 1628

This print, made in the Netherlands by Claes Jansz. Visscher, depicts the Dutch capture of the Spanish silver fleet in the Bay of Matanzas in 1628. It offers insight into the economic and political tensions of the 17th century. We see Dutch ships, led by Admiral Piet Heyn, dominating the waters off the coast of Cuba. Below, densely packed text narrates the events, glorifying the Dutch victory over Spain, their rival for global trade dominance. The map on the left gives us a sense of the space the battle took place in. The portraits of the Dutch commanders, a common way to commemorate military leaders, are shown in the upper corners. Prints like this served as propaganda, reinforcing a nationalistic narrative of Dutch power. The Rijksmuseum, where this print is housed today, plays a role in shaping the cultural memory of the Netherlands, so this print is still relevant to the country's self image. To fully understand this artwork, historical sources like ship manifests, economic records, and political pamphlets provide valuable context. Art history reminds us that images are not neutral; they are products of specific social and institutional forces.